Sequence of genome segments 1, 2, and 3 of the grass carp reovirus (Genus Aquareovirus, family Reoviridae)

The genome segments 1, 2, and 3 of the grass carp reovirus (GCRV), a tentat ive species assigned to genus Aquareouirus, family Reouiridae, were sequenc ed. The respective segments 1, 2, and 3 were 3949, 3877, and 3702 nucleotid es long. Conserved moths 5' (GUUAUUU) and 3' (UUCAUC) were found at the end s of each segment. Each segment contains a single ORF and the negative stra nd does not permit identification of consistent ORFs. Sequence analysis rev ealed that VP2 is the viral polymerase, while VPI might represent the viral guanyly/methyl transferase (involved in the capping process of RNA transcr ipts) and VP3 the NTPase/helicase (involved in the transcription and cappin g of viral RNAs), The highest amino acid identities (26-41%) were found wit h orthoreovirus proteins. Further genomic characterization should provide i nsight about the genetic relationships between GCRV, aquareoviruses, and or thoreoviruses, It should also permit to precise the taxonomic status of the se different viruses. (C) 2000 Academic Press.